5K Wag, Walk & Run this Saturday

Kent Preston, left, shelter executive director, and Josh Cromer, shelter operations manager, pose in Central Park with Phoenix, left, and Julie, two shelter dogs that are available for adoption. The Humane Society of Henderson County will sponsor the inaugural 5K Wags, Walk & Run on Saturday, starting in Central Park. (Gleaner photo by Kathy Dennis Moore • 831-8335 or kmoore@thegleaner.com)

Visitors may think that downtown Henderson has gone to the dogs on Saturday morning, when dozens of canines are expected to accompany their owners in the first-ever 5K Wag, Walk & Run sponsored by the Humane Society of Henderson County.

The 5K timed race and 2K casual walk will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday in Central Park near Center and Elm streets. Check-ins will start at 7 a.m.

"It should be a sight to see 100 dogs running through downtown Henderson," said Kent Preston, executive director of the local humane society.

Shelter officials are hoping to draw about 100 runners to the race, which will be held rain or shine. Medals will be awarded to the top three males and top three females in each of the three age divisions. All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

The entry fee is $25 per person, and people can register online at the shelter's website, www.hshcky.org. Registration forms can also be downloaded and mailed to the shelter, or people can sign up in person at the Drury Lane facility.

The public "needs to come out and support the local humane society and shelter," Preston said. "It's not our first fundraiser, but it's our first big fundraiser (this year). We're trying to make big bucks to take care of these animals and give them the care they need."

Dogs participating in the race should be up to date on their vaccinations and must be on leashes. Organizers will also have special red ribbons available for dogs that aren't overly comfortable with strangers. "The ribbons say 'I'm friendly but I don't like company,'" Preston said.

Once the race begins, participants shouldn't be too crowded. The race route is "on the wide streets of the downtown, so there's lots of room to spread out," he said.

The shelter director encourages "anybody and everybody" to turn out at Central Park on Saturday. "If they can't walk, they can still make the $25 donation," he said, "and if nothing else, they can come out and volunteer" the day of the race.

The race will begin at Center and Elm streets near Central Park with a police escort. Runners and walkers will proceed north on Elm Street to 12th Street, left on 12th to Main, south on Main to Fifth Street, right on Fifth to Water Street, left on Water to Powell Street, left on Powell to Main, left on Main to Washington Street, and left on Elm to the finish line.

"We'll have volunteers at every turn or change in direction of the race course" to make sure people know which way to go, Preston said.

The streets will be closed to vehicular traffic only until the runners and walkers have gone through that area and then will be immediately reopened.

Several water stations will be located along the route, with drinks provided for both human and canine participants. Dog owners are asked to clean up after their dogs, and small bags will be provided in each participant's free goodie bag.

Shelter officials will walk the route after the completion of the race "to make sure the streets are cleaned. We will not leave a mess," Preston said.

Participants who aren't interested in the timed aspect of the race can walk a shortened version of the course, Preston said.

"If they don't want to do the 5K, they are welcome to do the 2K," he said. "If they have a small dog, they can walk around the block and come back."

Pet owners are also invited to bring their dogs to Central Park on Saturday morning to be microchipped for a fee of $30. The shelter will also have a fenced-in area of dogs available for adoption.

In addition, a photo booth will be set up for pet owners who want to have a professional photo taken of their dogs, with or without humans in the photo, too.

Josh Williams, president of the local humane society's board of directors and who has his own photography business, will be shooting the photos.

Preston said that he and board members have been seeking sponsorships for the race from local businesses and individuals. By early last week, more than $5,000 in sponsorships had been promised, Preston said, with the goal being $10,000.

"As far as I know, this is the biggest fundraiser the humane society has ever had," he said, "and we need it."

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Anyone who would like to donate supplies to the shelter can bring them to a drop box in Central Park on Saturday.